Senior Project Development Lead, Grants Manager

This senior role requires a proactive, solution-focused grants leader who can drive high-quality research funding activity from strategy through to delivery. They will lead governance, costing, and submission of funding applications, ensuring full cost recovery and alignment with organisational priorities.

The role demands strong leadership and project management skills to oversee complex, milestone-driven programmes and manage teams across pre- and post-award stages. The postholder will provide expert advisory support and training to clinicians and researchers, helping them secure funding--particularly from major bodies like NIHR and other key funders.

Success in this role depends on the ability to build and manage strong internal and external partnerships, identify strategic funding opportunities, and bring together the right expertise to strengthen research capability. The ideal candidate can confidently engage with senior clinicians and academics, navigate complex organisational structures, and ultimately increase research income and impact.

Job description

To succeed in this role, and based on the detailed JD, the candidate needs strong grant writing and project management skills, financial expertise in research funding, and the ability to lead teams and manage complex programmes. They must be confident working with senior clinicians and academics, skilled in collaboration and stakeholder management, and able to think strategically to grow research partnerships, funding opportunities, and overall impact.

Person specification

Experience

Essential

• Extensive research management experience in complex and specialist organisations
• Able to demonstrate strong practical understanding of and experience in project management principles

Experience of monitoring and completing complex projects and setting budgets, timescales and deadlines

Experience of developing and delivering training programmes/workshops related to research funding

Experience of establishing and maintaining relationships with a complex network of stakeholders and partners

Experience of developing teams and managing staff within various structures, including direct reports, project and matrix formats

Desirable

• Project management qualification

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of UK funding landscape
• Knowledge of grant application processes for major funding bodies including NIHR, UKRI, The Wellcome Trust, other charities and commercial funding
• Research costings and financial processes

Desirable

• Knowledge of working in academia

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven track record of influencing colleagues through credible debate and the provision of effective support

Strong analytical skill with ability to analyse information, evaluate the results, and suggest evidence-based solutions

Ability to manage complex deadlines

Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage at a peer-to-peer level with experienced scientists and clinicians, researchers, funders and industry partners

Desirable

• High-level scientific writing

About the employer

At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly: